The Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Ilchattane family. Their name comes from a devotion to St. Catan, a saint of whom little is known but who was revered throughout the west coast of Scotland between the islands of Bute and Skye. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Gille Chatain, which means son of St. Catan's servant.

Early Origins of the Ilchattane family

The surname Ilchattane was first found in the area of Argyllshire on the Isle of Bute, and literally translated means the "servant of St. Catan," the patron saint of Bute, Skye, Colonsay, Gigha. St. Catan was said to have lived at the Abbey of Inchaffray on the isle of Skye.

Early History of the Ilchattane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ilchattane research.Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1424, 1465, 1672, 1670 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Ilchattane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ilchattane Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Ilchattane has been written as McIlhatton, McElhatton, McElhatten, McGillecattan, McIlchattan, McHilhatton, Makelatyn, Macklehatton, McHatton and many more.

Early Notables of the Ilchattane family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Ilchattane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ilchattane family to Ireland

Some of the Ilchattane family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 47 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ilchattane family to the New World and Oceana

Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Ilchattane or a variant listed above: James McElhatten settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1866; Arthur, Alexander, Cornelius, and John McIlhattan and McIlhatten settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1860 and 1866.